Oncologists warned that shortages of key generic chemotherapy drugs are forcing substitution and workarounds that could undermine treatment for some curable cancers. The report highlights shortages involving carboplatin, cisplatin, oxaliplatin, and ifosfamide, noting that FDA listed almost all injection formulations of ifosfamide as unavailable as of mid-July. The FDA estimated that ifosfamide injection formulations will remain in shortage until at least October 2026. Practitioners described strategies to conserve drug supply, including using lower-end dosing ranges and scheduling patients consecutively to maximize vial utilization. The clinicians’ concern is that pricing incentives and manufacturing decisions may reduce production, raising the risk that certain regimens—such as cisplatin-based care for testicular cancer—could become difficult to access when needed.
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